Capsule for a substantially cylindrical vessel

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a capsule for a substantially cylindrical vessel with a shell surface, an upper open end, and a lower closed end, wherein the shell surface, at least in the area of the open end, is of substantially cylindrical design. 
     In order to protect substantially cylindrical vessels against breakage in cost-effective manner, it is suggested in the scope of the invention that the shell surface above the closed end comprises at least one means for forming a free space, which is a crimp, directed at least partially inwards on the shell surface. 
     Here, the capsule is configured in such a way, that it can be fitted onto the bottom-side end of the substantially cylindrical vessel. The tolerance limits of the substantially cylindrical vessel are thereby compensated.

The present invention relates to a substantially cylindrical vessel, with a shell surface, an upper open end and a lower closed end, wherein the shell surface is of substantially cylindrical design at least in the area of the open end.

Capsules are fitted onto often-times cylindrical vessels over the opening of the vessel, through which the product is taken from, to serve as an effective protection against counterfeit. They consist of a film-type material, which is preferably transparent.

However, a capsule which contracts under the impact of heat (shrink capsule) cannot be used in numerous products (liquids, tablets or lyophilized products) of the pharmaceutical sector and the analysis sector, due to heat sensitivity of the respective product.

Accordingly, capsules have been developed, which are fitted onto the opening of the substantially cylindrical vessel and which are not thermally-fixed.

Although these capsules make product counterfeits recognizable, as the capsules are destroyed after the opening process, these capsules protect the substantially cylindrical vessels (small bottles), which were often produced from glass or similar fragile materials due to the contained chemicals or pharmaceutical products, against breakage only in the upper opening area of the vessels.

The remaining area of the substantially cylindrical vessels is not protected against breakage.

Recently, however, it was prescribed for the vessels to withstand a fall, e.g. caused by a standing person dropping the small bottle without any damage, without the vessel breaking into pieces or splinters spalling inside of the vessel.

It is therefore the object underlying the present invention to protect substantially cylindrically vessels against breakage in a cost-effective manner.

This object is achieved by a capsule for a substantially cylindrical vessel, wherein the capsule comprises a shell surface, an upper open end and a lower closed end, and the shell surface is of substantially cylindrical design at least in the area of the open end, in that the shell surface, above the closed end, comprises at least one means for forming a free space, which is a crimp directed at least partially inwards on the shell surface.

Here, the capsule is configured in such a way that it can be fitted onto the bottom-side end of the substantially cylindrical vessel. The tolerance limits of the substantially cylindrical vessel are compensated thereby. The capsule is thus connected to the cylindrical vessel in a form-fit manner and thermal fixing is not required, as is the case in shrink-on processes. The essential advantages of the invention consist in the low costs, the simple attachment of the capsule onto the cylindrical vessel and the yet efficient protection against breakage.

As the crimp protrudes into the inner area of the capsule, a tapering of the internal cross-section of the capsule is achieved. Accordingly, a shoulder is formed, against which the bottom of the substantially cylindrical vessel buts when fitting the capsule, and which prevents the substantially cylindrical vessel from being inserted further into the capsule.

Accordingly, a free space is achieved in the area between the shell surface of the capsule (in the area between the at least one means for forming a free space and the lower closed end of the capsule) and the bottom area of the capsule. When the capsule is fitted onto the bottom-side end of the vessel, this free space is delimited in the upper region by the bottom of the substantially cylindrical vessel.

If the substantially cylindrical vessel having the capsule fitted onto the bottom hits the floor with the lower side thereof, the free space ensures that a breakage is prevented, as the bottom area of the vessel is cushioned by the said space.

The at least one means for forming a free space is a crimp, which is at least partially directed inwards on the shell surface.

Here, the crimp can be formed by the shell surface per se as a mold (i.e. the shell surface is curved towards the inside of the capsule) or likewise by arranging a bulge or protrusion on the inside of the shell surface, wherein in the latter configuration, the bulge or the protrusion protrudes into the interior of the capsule then.

By means of the crimp, a shoulder is formed in the shell surface in the area of the bulge, on which the bottom of the vessel can rest. The bulge can be arranged circumferentially in the shell surface, or merely partially circumferentially. Likewise, multiple crimps can be arranged on the shell surface in a distributed manner, preferably at the same height. The free space is arranged below the at least one crimp.

It is within the scope of the invention that the free space is filled with a gas, in particular air, or a damping material.

Suitable as a damping material is any material that dampens mechanical movements, such as sponges, rubber or other resilient materials.

Furthermore, it is advantageously provided for the capsule to have the shell surface and the closed end produced from a plastic material, in particular polyvinyl chloride (PVC). The plastic material is advantageously provided in the form of a film here.

An advantageous configuration of the invention provides that the shell surface comprises above the means for forming a free space at least one crimp, perpendicular to the axis of the capsule and directed towards the interior of the capsule and/or inwardly-directed nubs and/or at least one crimp in parallel to the axis of the capsule and directed towards the inside of the capsule.

The crimps and/or nubs are formed in the capsule as an indentation limiting the insertion of the substantially cylindrical vessel and therefore ensures for a desired, defined spacing of the capsule. At the same time, tolerances of the vessel diameter of the substantially cylindrical vessel can be compensated and the capsule can be reinforced in the area of the open end.

In this context, it is possible for the crimps to extend in each case over at least part of the circumference of the shell surface of the capsule. Likewise, it is possible for the crimps to completely extend over the circumference of the shell surface in each case. Likewise, multiple crimps arranged in parallel to one another can be provided, in particular two parallel crimps.

It is possible for the capsule to comprise a perforation for venting the inner area of the capsule.

This facilitates the exit of the air contained in the capsule when fitting the capsule onto the vessel.

The object is also achieved by means of a substantially cylindrical vessel having an opening on the upper end and a bottom on the lower end, with a capsule for a substantially cylindrically-shaped vessel, wherein the capsule comprises a shell surface, an upper open end and a lower closed end and the shell surface is of cylindrical design at least in the area of the open end, and wherein the shell surface of the capsule comprises at least one means for forming a free space above the closed end, which means is a crimp at least partially directed inward on the shell surface (1 a), and wherein the capsule is fitted onto the lower end of the substantially cylindrical vessel.

The substantially cylindrical vessel is preferably produced from glass or another material allowing chemicals to be stored therein.

It can be provided that the cylindrical vessel is integrally formed.

The invention is described below by means of drawings, but it is not limited thereto. The Figures show in:

FIG. 1: a substantially cylindrical vessel in a side view,

FIG. 2: a capsule in a side view;

FIG. 3: a substantially cylindrical vessel arranged inside the capsule, in a side view;

FIG. 4: an embodiment of the capsule according to the invention in a sectional view.

FIGS. 1 to 3 schematically show the functional principle of the present invention.

FIG. 1 illustrates the substantially cylindrical vessel 2 with an opening on the upper end 2 b and a bottom 2 d on the lower end 2 c.

FIG. 2 illustrates the capsule 1 according to the invention for the substantially cylindrical vessel shown in FIG. 1. The capsule 1 comprises a shell surface 1 a, an upper open end 1 b and a lower closed end 1 c. As illustrated, the shell surface 1 a is of substantially cylindrical design at least in the area of the open end 1 b. In addition, the shell surface 1 a, above the closed end 1 c, comprises at least one means 3 for forming a free space 4. The free space 4 is filled with a gas, in particular air, or a damping material. In the illustrated exemplary embodiment, the shell surface la continues extending substantially cylindrically below the means 3 for forming a free space 4. Above the means 3 for forming a free space 4, the shell surface 1 a comprises at least one crimp 5 directed perpendicular to the axis of the capsule 1 and towards the inside of the capsule 1, inwardly-directed nubs 6 and a crimp 7 in parallel to the axis of the capsule 1 and directed towards the inside of the capsule 1. The capsule 1 comprises a perforation 8 for venting the inner area of the capsule 1.

FIG. 3 illustrates a capsule 1 fitted onto the substantially cylindrical vessel 2. The at least one means 3 for forming a free space protrudes into the inner area of the capsule. Due to the protruding into the inner area of the capsule 1, a tapering of the internal cross-section of the capsule 1 is achieved. Accordingly, a shoulder is formed, against which the bottom of the substantially cylindrical vessel 2 abuts and which prevents the substantially cylindrical vessel 2 from being inserted further into the capsule 1. Accordingly, a free space 4 is arranged between the shell surface of the capsule (in the region between the at least one means for forming a free space and the lower, closed end of the capsule) and the bottom area of the capsule 1. This free space 4 is delimited on the upper side by the bottom of the substantially cylindrical vessel 2.

According to the configuration according to FIG. 4, the means 3 for forming a free space 4 are formed on the shell surface as a crimp 3 c which is at least partially directed inwards. This allows that the vessel will not enter the capsule 1 all the way to the bottom thereof, and that a free space 4 remains below the vessel. The free space 4 dampens the impact in the case of a fall. 

1-7. (canceled)
 8. A capsule (1) for fitting onto the bottom-side end of a substantially cylindrical vessel (2), with a shell surface (1 a), an upper open end (1 b) and a lower closed end (1 c), wherein the shell surface (1 a), at least in the area of the open end (1 b), is of substantially cylindrical design, wherein the shell surface (1 a) and the lower closed end (1) comprise a plastic film, wherein the shell surface (1 a), above the closed end (1 c), comprises at least one means (3) for forming a free space (4), wherein the means (3) for forming a free space (4) protrudes into the inner area of the capsule (1), whereby a tapering of the internal cross-section of the capsule (1) is achieved, and wherein the means (3) for forming a free space (4) is formed as a crimp (3 c) extending at least over a part of the circumference of the shell surface (1 a) and directed inwards, against which the bottom of the substantially cylindrical vessel (2) abuts when fitting the capsule (1) and which prevents the substantially cylindrical vessel (2) from being inserted further into the capsule (1), wherein the shell surface (1 a) comprises above the means (3) for forming a free space (4) at least one crimp (5), perpendicular to the axis of the capsule (1) and directed towards the interior of the capsule (1), and/or inwardly-directed nubs (6) and/or at least one crimp (7) parallel to the axis of the capsule (1) and directed towards the inside of the capsule (1), for compensating tolerances of the vessel diameter of the substantially cylindrical vessel (2).
 9. The capsule (1) according to claim 8, wherein the free space (4) is filled with a gas, in particular air, or a damping material.
 10. The capsule (1) according to claim 8, wherein the shell surface (1 a) and the closed end (1 c) are produced from polyvinyl chloride (PVC).
 11. The capsule (1) according to claim 8, wherein the capsule, in the area of the closed end (1 c), comprises a perforation (8) for venting the interior area of the capsule (1).
 12. The capsule (1) according to claim 8, wherein the free space (4) is filled with a gas, in particular air, or a damping material.
 13. The capsule (1) according to claim 12, wherein the damping material comprise a material that is suitable to dampen mechanical movements, such as sponges, rubber or other resilient materials.
 14. A substantially cylindrical vessel (2) with an opening at the upper end (2 b) and a bottom at the lower end (2 c), with a capsule (1) according to claim 8, wherein the capsule (1) is fitted onto the lower end of the substantially cylindrical vessel (2).
 15. A substantially cylindrical vessel (2) with an opening at the upper end (2 b) and a bottom at the lower end (2 c), with a capsule (1) for a substantially cylindrical vessel (2) according to claim 8, wherein the substantially cylindrical vessel (2) is produced from glass or another material in which chemicals may be stored.
 16. The cylindrical vessel (2) with a capsule (1) according to claim 15, wherein the cylindrical vessel (2) is integrally formed. 